Electronic Resources & Librarianship Conference 2026
March 1-4, 2026
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
Written by Peyton Merchant, Collections Specialist @ Baylor University Libraries
Overall Experience at ER&L
With this being my first professional conference, I was not entirely sure what to expect. I imagined long days filled with back-to-back sessions, notes galore, and a bit of learning fatigue as each day wound down. However, I can happily say that the structure of the ER&L conference proved these predictions wrong. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, the conference balanced educational sessions with community-building activities that were thoughtfully interwoven throughout the day. This carefully curated schedule allowed for time to engage with colleagues, reflect on our learning, and recharge between sessions. The plentiful snacks and beverages available throughout the day were also a welcome bonus that helped keep attendees energized and engaged throughout the day.
One of the most valuable aspects of this conference for me was the strong sense of community shared among everyone in attendance. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with individuals at many different stages of their careers. Everyone I interacted with was open to answering questions, giving advice, and sometimes even discussing their own paths into librarianship. These conversations helped me to better understand the larger community of library professionals and all the different backgrounds and experiences they bring to the profession.
The most memorable moment for me in terms of community building was attending the community connection session, where I participated in a small group discussion with other new library professionals. This setting created a comfortable and welcoming space for all of us to share our experiences, ask questions, and discuss challenges we have already faced. Meeting with others who were still navigating their early careers helped build bonds between us that impacted our overall experience at the conference. I found that we were gravitating to each other during sessions and following up on how our days were going. It was nice to have a moment to make those connections that I otherwise may not have had the chance to make.
Overall, attending ER&L Fest 2026 was incredibly valuable for both my professional growth and community-building. As someone who works closely with electronic resources and serials, the conference helped me understand how the work I do daily fits into the larger ecosystem of scholarly communication and library services. From check-in, to educational sessions, to vendor dinners, and finally (my favorite) ER&L Jeopardy, this conference offered a wide range of educational and community-driven experiences that will stick with me as I continue to grow in this profession.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with individuals at many different stages of their careers.
About Peyton Merchant
I am a Collections Coordinator on the Continuing Resources team for the Baylor University Libraries. I am currently in my 2nd year of the library science master’s program at Texas Woman’s University. My passions include electronic resource management and maximizing access to scholarly information.
